Meet Chef Arnaud Daleau: The craftsman from the City of Lights to the Pearl of the Far East

Editor: Mai Hoa

Meet Arnaud Daleau – The craftsman behind Miss Thu, the new and glamorous dining experience located right on the 24th floor of the prestigious Fusion Original Saigon Centre. Chef Arnaud plays a crucial part in establishing the core characteristics of Miss Thu Restaurant.

My grandmother inspired me to become a Chef

Chef Arnaud comes from France and draws on French culinary training. The man himself admitted that he didn’t have a drastic change in career path prior to becoming a chef but rather having been inspired by his grandmother and the family meals she had made. Chef Arnaud’s spark of passion for the culinary world flared within him at a very young age.

Arnaud Daleau – Executive Chef – Miss Thu Restaurant | Image: Fusion Original Saigon Centre

Prior to his role as Miss Thu’s Executive Chef, Arnaud held with him an adventurous culinary journey. Having worked in some of the most reputable restaurants, some honourable mentions are two Michelin-star Les Ambassadeurs at Hôtel de Crillon and one Michelin-star La Grande Cascade, professionalism, and constant creativity have been two of his non-negotiable traits in the kitchen.

From the City of Lights to the Pearl of the Far East

With nearly 20 years of culinary experience, Chef Arnaud has worked in world-renowned kitchens in Paris and Sydney. Along with three years of local knowledge formed working with Vietnamese cuisine and ingredients, Chef Arnaud is now leading his talented team at Miss Thu to provide Guests with an exquisite and unforgettable dining experience.

“With Miss Thu we wanted to create a menu with bold flavours and unique takes on Vietnamese dishes that showcase the vibrant nature of Vietnamese cuisine. The key challenge in the menu creation was adding a cosmopolitan twist to every item on the menu without compromising the overall taste, as well as the Vietnamese characteristic in each dish”
Arnaud Daleau

Miss Thu holds a special position in Chef Arnaud’s heart as he has been with the restaurant since day one. Like the lady it’s named for, Miss Thu restaurant exudes a polished authenticity, distancing itself from the unremarkable to propose experiences that invite you to reach beyond the ordinary. Prestigiously located in the heart of a vibrant mega city, the restaurant captures the spirit of contemporary Saigon while raising a respectful hat to the historic provenance of this celebrated destination.

Like the lady it’s named for, Miss Thu restaurant exudes a polished authenticity, distancing itself from the unremarkable to propose experiences that invite you to reach beyond the ordinary | Image: Fusion Original Saigon Centre

Vietnamese-Inspired Cuisine – Beyond Traditional

Always at the forefront of epicurean trends, the traditional Vietnamese recipes which form the cornerstone of Miss Thu’s outstanding menu are accompanied by a selection of exceptional international dishes. By day the restaurant offers a classic, cosmopolitan breakfast along with an elegant atmosphere. As the night falls, the restaurant transforms into a private dining area that celebrates Saigon’s rich and varied culinary heritage, with a creatively curated menu that showcases an array of authentic Vietnamese recipes, each carefully prepared using the freshest
local ingredients and premium imported products.

“With Miss Thu we wanted to create a menu with bold flavours and unique takes on Vietnamese dishes that showcase the vibrant nature of Vietnamese cuisine. The key challenge in the menu creation was adding a cosmopolitan twist to every item on the menu without compromising the overall taste, as well as the Vietnamese characteristic in each dish”, said Arnaud. “The menu is a subtle way Miss Thu advertises her cultural roots, and shares her personal experiences which she enjoyed from her magnificent voyage”.

“The menu is a subtle way Miss Thu advertises her cultural roots, and shares her personal experiences which she enjoyed from her magnificent voyage” –
Arnaud Daleau

Having his passion served on the menu, Chef Arnaud takes great pride in creating each item and putting them on a plate. It was difficult for him to point out a favourite, but we managed to curate a list of recommendations with all of his best choices.

Chef’s Recommendations

In your next visit to Miss Thu, we suggest you start your evening with the Wagyu Beef Carpaccio for a fresh kick in flavour. The combination of fine wagyu beef with a touch of tangy pickled shallots, along with the creaminess from Vietnamese emulsion makes the perfect starter.

Arnaud Daleau – The craftsman behind Miss Thu, the new and glamorous dining experience located right on the 24th floor of the prestigious Fusion Original Saigon Centre | Image: Fusion Original Saigon Centre

At the main course, Chef Arnaud would personally enjoy Bắp Xào Seabass – an enhancement from Sài Gòn’s most renowned street food signature. The homemade Bắp Xào is blended into a mousseline to use as a base for the garnish, served along with baby corn sauteed in XO sauce and the most amazing, hand-picked daily local seabass.

To end the night with a heartful treat, Chef’s recommendation would be our Tira-Miss-Thu. Our most loved dessert is served table side by pouring Vietnamese Cà Phê Phin over a Marou chocolate dome to enhance the beautiful flavours.

The new restaurant is located on the 24th floor of Fusion Original Saigon Centre. The property opened its doors to guests in July and occupies the top ten floors of Saigon Centre, the city’s largest and most fashionable mixed-use establishment.